YU-RA = RITSUKO + KUMI

RITSUKO (music, piano, voice)

KUMI (words, voice)

1994 The two meet...

"Ritsuko (keyboards) spontaneously walks into a live performance by Kumi (vocals), immediately approaches her and forms a group."

1995 Starting off

"Begins performing with a third member (percussionist), as ...Feminine Cherubim.... At this point, the trio were an acoustic-oriented group."

1996 And then there were two...

"With the departure of the percussionist, the remaining two restart as a duo named ...Beyond the Pale,... and switch to a more electronic, synthesizer-oriented sound."

1997 The birth of Yu-Ra

"The two participate in a band audition held by the music division of Yoshimoto Kogyo, and is immediately approached by numerous record labels. The duo sign a recording contract with Dolce Vita, an all-female label under Ki/oon Sony Records* Cyber Creative Room"

"The same year, Yu-Ra record a batch of songs and produces a demo tape, which is sent to Robin Guthrie of the Cocteau Twins. The two travel to London to record a full album with Robin at the Cocteau Twins* September Sound Studios. Yu-Ra become the first Japanese act to be produced by Robin."

"During their 1 1/2-month stay in London, the video for ...Innocent Time... as well as the album cover art are produced by the critically-acclaimed production unit, Stylorouge."

Robin travels to Tokyo for the mastering of the album in December.

1998 YU-RA release...

Released their debut single "Innocent Time" on March 21. Released their debut album "Beyond the pale" on April 22.